Driver strikes pole, suffers major injuries

VALLEY CENTER  A motorist suffered major injuries Tuesday when he veered off a road in Valley Center and slammed into a power pole, a California Highway Patrol official said.

The driver, whose name and age were not available, was heading south on Miller Road in a Honda Civic about 7:45 a.m. About half a mile north of Valley Center Road, he swerved for an unknown reason and sheared off the pole at its base, CHP Officer Todd Maxson said.

He said the pole was held upright by the power lines, but still posed a danger to motorists, so the road was closed.

Paramedics took the driver to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. No details about his condition were released.

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. crews kept the southbound lane closed through the day during repairs, and sent traffic through in alternating directions on the northbound lane. The closure was expected to continue until about 5:30 p.m.